A World of Difference [Paperback]

Barbara Johnson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1988

"Dazzling and fun, from the memorial to the formidable (or should I say notorious?) Paul de Man, which introduces the possibility of feminist deconstruction, to the revisions and re-readings of motherhood as a nearly untenable discursive position."--'Voice Literary Supplement.'

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Johnson's form here is the short critical essaywitty, elliptical, provocative. This doesn't mean she avoids weighty subjects. We find shrewd defences of deconstruction; a variety of approachesnuanced, challenging, sometimes reconditeto the feminine; other studies on the marginality of writing (e.g., Zora Neale Hurston); and continuing explorations of the Symbolist aesthetic. Throughout, Johnson foregrounds a major preoccupation of recent theory: "Is a willingness to carry an inquiry to the point of undecidability necessarily at odds with political engagement?" In meeting this challenge she is led beyond formalism to "a much messier form of bricolage," a style that runs certain risks but that is here justified by a consistent seriousness and commitment. Alexander Gelley, English & Comparative Literature Dept., Univ. of California, Irvine
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

Dazzling and fun, from the memorial to the formidable (or should I say notorious?) Paul de Man, which introduces the possibility of feminist deconstruction, to the revisions and re-readings of motherhood as a nearly untenable discursive position.

(Voice Literary Supplement )

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: The Johns Hopkins University Press (November 1, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801837456
• ISBN-13: 978-0801837456
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,250,714 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars differences building the world, February 5, 2000

By 

tabrea razvan- calin - See all my reviews

This review is from: A World of Difference (Paperback)

The fact that we are living in a world of differences is, basically, well-known. But who establish this differences? I think that the only authority is the one who ask the question, and "makes the difference". Our identity is a construction of who we think we are and of our image in the others eyes. The author(ity) of this book points this in a clear way. Derrida watch his disciple from the background of his writings, and, once more, naming the difference means: making the difference. This book can be very useful for the people living in Eastern Europe who are trying to find their "diferrence" in a large area of european identities. In fact, we are all members of certain minority, as individuals (for example, the academic minority who read Barbara Johnson in Romania)- before making part of a majority. The book is a perfect tool to review our traditions, customs, the past and the history who made us what we are now.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars differences building the world, February 5, 2000

By 

tabrea razvan- calin - See all my reviews

This review is from: A World of Difference (Paperback)

The fact that we are living in a world of differences is ,basically,well-known.But who establish this differences?I think that the only authority is the one who ask the question,and"makes the difference".Our identity is a construction of who we think we are and of our image in the others eyes.The author(ity) of this book points this in a clear way.Derrida watch his disciple from the background of his writings,and ,once more, naming the difference means:making the difference.This book can be verry useful for the people living in Eastern Europe who are trying to find their "diferrence"in a large area of european identities.in fact,we are all members of certain minority,as individuals(for example,the academic minority who read Barbara Johnson in Romania )-before making part of a majority.The book is a perfect tool to review our traditions,customs,the past and the history who made us what we are now.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars differences building the world, February 5, 2000

By 

tabrea razvan- calin - See all my reviews

This review is from: A World of Difference (Paperback)

The fact that we are living in a world of differences is ,basically,well-known.But who establish this differences?I think that the only authority is the one who ask the question,and"makes the difference".Our identity is a construction of who we think we are and of our image in the others eyes.The author(ity) of this book points this in a clear way.Derrida watch his disciple from the background of his writings,and ,once more, naming the difference means:making the difference.This book can be verry useful for the people living in Eastern Europe who are trying to find their "diferrence"in a large area of european identities.in fact,we are all members of certain minority,as individuals(for example,the academic minority who read Barbara Johnson in Romania )-before making part of a majority.The book is a perfect tool to review our traditions,customs,the past and the history who made us what we are now.